Church Signs Across America [Hardcover]

Steve Paulson (Author), Pam Paulson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2007

Church Signs Across America celebrates the wit, charm, and verse of church signs from every state in the U.S. At the same time reverent and witty, these signs offer fascinating glimpses into American life that are variously humorous, inspirational, kitschy, and kind—and occasionally all those things at once. After finding their inspiration for the book during a road trip from Florida to Alaska, husband and wife team Steve and Pam Paulson traveled to every corner of the country photographing the signs of churches large and small, and of every denomination.

Among the gems uncovered over the course of the journey are puns, "Seven days without prayer makes one weak"; admonishments, "The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice"; family advice, "Families are like fudge . . . mostly sweet with a few nuts"; and sales pitches, "Looking for a lifeguard? Ours walks on water."

Church Signs Across America includes photographs of American churches both imposing and humble, and it is as remarkable for its display of the diversity of American church architecture as it is for the variety of humor and inspiration displayed in the signs. Appealing to both churchgoers and drive-by appreciators of this uniquely American form of wit and wisdom, this inimitable book is sure to become an uplifting and amusing classic—a laugh from the belly as well as from the heart.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Church Signs Across America celebrates the wit, charm, and poetry of church signs from every state in the U.S. At the same time reverent and witty, these signs offer fascinating glimpses into American life that are variously humorous, inspirational, kitschy, backward, and kind--and occasionally all those things at once. After finding their inspiration for the book during a road trip from Florida to Alaska, husband and wife team Steve and Pam Paulson traveled through all fifty states photographing the signs of churches large and small, and of every denomination.

Among the gems uncovered over the course of the journey are puns, "Seven days without prayer makes one weak"; admonishments, "The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice"; family advice, "Families are like Fudge...mostly sweet with a few nuts"; and sales pitches, "Looking for a lifeguard? Ours walks on water."

Every page of Church Signs Across America includes beautiful photographs of an American church and a church sign, and each is remarkable for its display of the diversity of ecclesiastic architecture displayed in the churches as it is for the variety of humor and inspiration displayed in the signs. Appealing to churchgoers and other appreciators of this uniquely American form of wit and wisdom, this inimitable book is certain to become an uplifting and amusing classic.

About the Author

Steve Paulson and Pam Paulson, a husband and wife team, lived in Southern California for ten years before moving to Florida. Pam and Steve drove cross-country for three summers taking the photographs for Church Signs Across America, their first book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585677140
• ISBN-13: 978-1585677146
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #696,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun book for pastors and church members alike, March 17, 2007

By 

Robert Hammond (Trumbull, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Church Signs Across America (Hardcover)

This new book from Steve Paulson (and his wife) is a pleasure to flip through. The church signs are variably humorous, witty and even convicting. The book is well-made and the quality of the pictures is terrific. This would make a great gift for a pastor who needs to keep his church sign (as well as his pews) full. I recommend this book without reservation.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting Picture Book, May 15, 2007

By 

K. E. Swatt "Mortgage Broker" (Bloomfield, NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Church Signs Across America (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful, spiritually uplifting coffee table volume. The photos show 142 different messages on the roadside signs from a wide variety of churches throughout America. It's just as you would see them if driving by. Great stuff.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Gift..., July 10, 2007

By 

M. Hill (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Church Signs Across America (Hardcover)

This absolutely delightful book includes a cross-section of the country's church signs. Sometimes amusing, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes inspiring and sometimes head-scratching. A powerful combination of marketing and faith. And, the architecture of the churches is a fascinating bonus. A perfect gift for someone in need of a lift.